Evenstar was raised by her human father, and has never had contact with her mother. However, her father was knowledgeable about her kind, the Icarii, and taught her all he could recall. His and her mother's romance was a lengthy one, and one frowned upon by the Icarii. Her father was a very reserved, somewhat isolated man, but could detect his growing daughter's affinity for magic. While the child was growing, her father began many years of travel, seeking out someone knowledgeable enough to grow his daughter's natural talents. At length he met a mage, a strange, bent old man full of days, by the name of Oliohath. Evenstar never knew exactly what her father had to sacrifice to insure her training, but she was left in the mage's care for several years, taught over time the magic inherent in the earth itself. She grew in skill, particularly in healing, as well as a strong will to defend herself. At last Oliohath died, and Evenstar was left on her own, to wander, to protect herself. She never saw her father again.
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Her mother, The Star Leaf, mistress of the trees, lover of all created things -- she was an Enchanter. The Icarii, a proud, strong, beautiful winged people, living among the mountains, sometimes wanderers, believe that all things are connected in the universe: every living thing has its own energy, its own spirit, and gives breath and life to each other, feeds off the power of the Star Dance. The Star Dance is what the Icarii call oblivion, or Elysium, or the final resting place -- where souls go after temporal bodies or forms die: they return to the Star Dance. The eternal dance of all stars, galaxies, worlds; they commune at last in completion. This Star Dance can be tapped, can be accessed by the Icarii through songs, chantings, and body movements in accordance with melody. This is their magic. Their power. The Icarii believe in the Star Gods -- beautiful, immortal beings who do not interfere in the lives of humans, Icarii, or any other earthly creature. They reside over the galaxies, and keep the Star Dance in balance, accepting new spirits to return to creation.
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Evenstar can vaguely recall her mother. The Star Leaf, beautiful and wispy. She recalls strong coppery wings enveloping her as a young babe, feathers softly tickling her nose. She remembers her gentle floral scent, the scent also of sandalwood and of the skies. She can remember her father's sobs as she said goodbye, "One day, one day... I will see you again. You're the best part of me..." her whispers in the darkness of the last night. Then her ethereal shape dissolved in the stark outline of the full moon. Gone.
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Her father, so sweet and sad. So quiet. He was a humble leatherworker. But he taught her of her mother. Their sacred system carved within the mountain, each chamber beautifully adorned with glittering jewels, set in the stone walls. Velvet drapes, rich and luxurious. Scouts flying in unison against the night sky. The hierarchy of Enchanters, the elders, the song and dance rituals of joinings, of coming-of-age hunts, the mournful deathsong of a beloved Icarii son as his son passes into the Star Dance.
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After her grooming in Oliohath's care (taught for years of worldly magic, herbs, remedies, incantations for fatal wounds, how to harness her life energy to bring a young child from the brink of death), Evenstar grew restless. She began her life of searching. What she searched for, she wasn't entirely sure. One thing she knew: Star Leaf must still live. She must. Perhaps she was banished, because of her love affair with her father -- a mere human. Icarii look down upon humans in general. They are considered weak, uninspirational, uninteresting. Evenstar did not care for that. After all, she herself was half human. She left the mage's care, and wandered Aleris, looking for signs. She slipped into a nearby town, hiding herself for awhile. She observed, learned. She lived in inns for a short while, and also befriended a young woman who took her in for a time. Evenstar helped care for her young children, healing common illnesses they suffered, loved them, even. Two weeks went by, and she met Lurhein. Lurhein, a common soldier. A common man. But something about him intrigued her, captivated her.
Their romance lasted for six months. Six months of happiness, of quietness in her heart. It did not last. He died of red fever within three days, and her attempts to save him had failed, time and time again. She could not understand it -- the Star Dance was calling him back, there was no denying it. She fled, but in her heart knew that something felt strange. A short time later she realized she was with child; his child. She lived in isolation those several months, carried his child in her belly to term, but the sickness in her heart grew. Perhaps it was of a broken heart -- broken hearts can destroy you, can destroy what hope you have left. She gave birth to a perfect baby girl, tiny wing buds just hiding beneath her sweet skin. She was a perfect daughter, and perfectly lifeless.
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She named her stillborn child Lurgiia, in honor of the father she would never know. Evenstar, being over two centuries of the world, has since had friends, lovers, and a few rivals; she's spent many of her days mastering the art of the healer, aiding sicknesses and wounds when opportune, and has also learned to defend herself with the sword and bow. She's hunted for her food during the lonely seasons of her life, and has survived those she's loved. Her journey continues in Aleris, and perhaps will one day end there.
